Purpose

To approve a new Trowbridge and Westbury Bat
Mitigation Strategy which, once approved, will supersede the
current Trowbridge Bat Mitigation Strategy Supplementary Planning
Document, and have the objective of addressing impacts on bat
habitat in and around Trowbridge and Westbury that is functionally
and demographically linked to the Bath and Bradford-on-Avon Bats
SAC.
 

Content

 
Resolved:
 
That Cabinet
 

1.   
Recommends Full Council approves the proposed Trowbridge and
Westbury Bat Mitigation Strategy to support the draft Local Plan
and to ensure delivery of appropriate mitigation for plan-led
development to ensure no adverse effects on the integrity of the
Bath and Bradford on-Avon Bats SAC and the functionally linked
woodlands to the east and south-east of Trowbridge.

 

2.   
Agrees that in accordance with the requirements of the
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended)
and relevant case law, that the revised strategic approach applies
to all qualifying development seeking outline, full, reserved
matters and discharge of condition approval (with the exception of applications for the WHSAP
site allocations and the Ashton Park Urban Extension outline
planning application).

 

3.   
Agrees that developer contributions via planning obligations
will be sought from developers wishing to use the Council-led
mitigation scheme. The revised strategy would be adopted with
immediate effect and contributions sought as necessary.

 
 
Reason for
Decision:
 
To demonstrate the
Council’s ongoing commitment to deliver a mitigation
strategy that is
sufficiently robust to address development and recreational
pressure on the
important bat habitats around Trowbridge and Westbury.